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Shark that lives up to 400 years amazes scientists (they still know very little about this species)

2026-07-31 21:24:23Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Shark that lives up to 400 years amazes scientists (they still know very little
Greenland shark

Some of the Greenland sharks that swim in the deep sea today may have been alive in Shakespeare's time. Their hearts continue to beat for centuries, their eyesight does not fade like humans, and their bodies are remarkably resistant to aging.

In April 2026, off the coast of County Sligo, in western Ireland, researchers were faced with an unusual sight: a dead Greenland shark had washed ashore. It was the first time this species had been recorded stranded on Irish shores.

The animal was about three meters long and weighed over 200 kilograms. Based on its size, researchers estimated that it could be over 150 years old. So it was born in the time of Queen Victoria and Abraham Lincoln, when three-masted ships sailed the oceans and the automobile had not yet been invented.

But for a Greenland shark, 150 years is not necessarily old age. The species can live for around 400 years, and some estimates put its lifespan between 300 and 500 years.

"It's shocking to think how long this animal has lived and what it may have seen," said marine biologist Emilie De Loose.

However, the discovery also had a sad side. Greenland sharks reach sexual maturity extremely late, perhaps only after about 150 years. This means that the individual found in Ireland could have just reached reproductive age and may not have had a chance to contribute to the continuation of the population.

A visitor from the depths

Greenland sharks live in the North Atlantic and Arctic waters, especially near Greenland, Canada, and Iceland. They are among the largest sharks in the world and can reach up to five meters in length.

They swim slowly, live mostly solitary lives, and feed as carnivores, but also on the carcasses of other animals. They can swallow prey whole, using a powerful suction created by their mouths.

Despite their size and wide distribution, scientists still know very little about them.

It is not known for sure where they mate, where their young are born, how many pups a female bears, and how often she reproduces. Only one pregnant female has ever been observed, making it extremely difficult to estimate their numbers in the wild.

This lack of information also makes it difficult to protect species from dangers such as accidental capture in fishing nets.

Autopsy of a century-old animal

After its discovery, the body was covered with seaweed to protect it from birds and other animals. The next day, a crane lifted it onto a truck and transported it to a veterinary laboratory.

Shark that lives up to 400 years amazes scientists (they still know very little

The researchers worked wearing masks, gloves and protective clothing. An animal that has lived for more than a century could harbor bacteria, viruses or unknown diseases, so the examination required special care.

No cuts or injuries were found on the body to indicate the shark had been hit by fishing nets. Its skin, covered in small, sharp structures called denticles, was preserved in a freezer and could be used to display the animal at the National Museum of Ireland.

The researchers removed and analyzed the organs one by one. The liver weighed about 50 kilograms. The heart was also unusually large, about 34 kilograms, while a human heart weighs approximately 300 grams.

The stomach appeared empty, but the intestines contained signs that the animal had recently digested food. Due to their very slow metabolism, these sharks have low energy needs and can survive for long periods even in environments with little food.

The cause of death was not immediately determined. One of the testicles was twisted and the spleen was an unusual color, but the animal appeared healthy overall. Further testing could reveal whether it was suffering from some unseen disease.

Eyes that never age

For many years, Greenland sharks have been described as nearly blind. This is due to the tiny parasites that often cling to their eyes.

But a study published in 2026 suggested otherwise. Their eyes and retinas are intact and highly specialized for seeing in the darkness of the Arctic depths.

Even in individuals over 100 years old, the cells and molecular mechanisms of vision remain functional. Their visual system resembles a camera adapted to very low light and seems built to last for centuries.

Parasites hanging in front of the eyes, according to researchers, may not damage vision as much as previously thought.

One possible explanation for this durability is their ability to repair DNA. Researchers have found that certain genes involved in repairing genetic damage are more active in the Greenland shark than in other, shorter-lived species.

A heart with signs of aging, but still functional

Other studies have shown that the heart of the Greenland shark may have typical signs of aging, including damaged tissue and scarring.

However, despite these changes, the heart continues to function normally. This suggests that the shark does not completely avoid aging, but has evolved to resist its effects.

This ability may be the key to extreme longevity: the organism becomes damaged over time, but continues to function.

Scientists hope that studying the DNA, heart, eyes and metabolism of this species will help not only understand its extraordinary lifespan, but also the mechanisms of aging in other animals and humans.

To determine the exact age of the individual found in Ireland, the lenses of the eyes will undergo radiocarbon dating. A muscle sample will also be analyzed for the length of telomeres, the protective parts at the ends of DNA that typically shorten with age.

For researchers, a big question remains: what killed an animal that still seemed healthy and that, despite having lived for more than a century and a half, could still have a large part of its life ahead of it?


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